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Note From Charles June 2014

Here at the Wickaninnish Inn, we can always tell when summer is on its way, not just because the days are longer and warmer, but because the traffic along Highway 4 picks up and suddenly we too get to slow down and enjoy the amazing views. We also know that the extra surge in visitors brings with it friends we haven’t seen for a while, and new guests we hope will soon become friends, so we don’t mind spending a few extra minutes slowing down a bit and getting to appreciate Tofino Time.

Yes, summer is the busy season here on Vancouver Island’s west coast, and at this time of year it seems everyone wants to share in the laidback beach lifestyle and the natural beauty surrounding Tofino.

This is, of course, a wildly romantic destination, so we’re always welcoming couples in love, whether they are just starting life together or celebrating decades of marriage. In fact, our Special Events Manager, Danielle Fox, is busy all summer organizing weddings, honeymoons, and other celebrations for our starry-eyed guests.

But it’s not just lovers who escape to the Inn. Families also gather here – moms and dads, the kids, their grandparents, even cousins and aunts and uncles there is something for everyone and every age to captivate ones imagination so we are an ideal multi generational destination. Friends meet here to go fishing or hiking or lazing about on the beach. Even the furriest member of the family likes to romp on the endless sand of Chesterman Beach, and here at the Inn, we love your dog almost as much as you do, so we’ve provided a dog shower station, towels, chuck-its and balls.

There’s so much that Tofino, Pacific Rim National Park and the Inn have to offer travellers. Few things can beat the fun of a crab cookout on the beach (and we can arrange one for you), except maybe getting up close and personal with a humpback on a whale-watching expedition. This is also a prime region for other outdoor adventures, including surfing, paddle boarding, bird watching and fishing, especially this year, when we’re expecting an epic sockeye salmon run. Meanwhile, for those interested in cultural experiences, there are art galleries, great restaurants, and memorable First Nations traditions to explore.

And did I mention the beaches? Beyond our own special Chesterman Beach location the most impressive of them all is minutes away in pristine Pacific Rim National Park Reserve: Long Beach, 30 kilometers of wave-swept sand dotted with rocky outcrops and misty islands. The beach is probably the park’s main attraction, but even beyond that it’s a remarkable place to explore. For one thing, it’s home to my favourite hiking trail, the beautiful Schooner Cove trail that meanders through a hushed, ancient rainforest to yet another beach. For another, my dad was instrumental in creating the park, so I’m pretty proud of it.

Summer is the best time to explore our beautiful coast. But summer is all too short. Isn’t it time you planned your visit?